Special to UM News

Members of the ERG Steering Committee are, from left, Fabian Collazos, Charlton Copelan, Tariq Syed, Luevenia Sterling, Mindy Herris, Sophia Galvin, Amie Choy, Mitra Zehtab, Nanette Vega, Loren Blandon, Adrian Freeman, Susie Picar, and M. Brian Blake.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (July 25, 2014)—The University of Miami will join the ranks of top employers such as Google, Starbucks, and Disney with the launch of employee resource groups (ERGs) this fall. In a nutshell, ERGs are peer networks whose members have common interests. They are voluntary, member-led groups that meet in trusting, open environments.

The ERG initiative, executed by a steering committee chaired by Luevenia Sterling, director of professional development at the School of Law, is set to launch in October and will include groups for people with disabilities, LGBTQ, Asians, veterans, and millenials.

“It is such an exciting time to be at the University of Miami,” said Sophia Galvin, director of inclusion programs and steering committee facilitator. “Our aspirations of becoming a great place to work and an employer of choice become more of a reality when employees are able to authentically connect with the UM brand. Participants will have the opportunity to do just that, to build stronger bonds with the University through their interactions within these groups.”

To learn more about the launch of UM’s ERGs and how you can get involved, register for a 30-minute ULearn webinar at ulearn.miami.edu (keyword ERG). Webinars will be hosted at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, and Tuesday, August 12. For additional information click here or contact Sophia Galvin, director of inclusion programs.